1. Which of the following venues do you think can best meet the needs of the play? Choose one of the follow and explain why you have selected this kind of venue. proscenium, arena, thrust, flexible I think a thrust theater would work the best for Split Second. A thrust theater would allow for an easier change in backdrop and the wings of a traditional thrust would allow for the quick, efficient interchanging of props between scenes. (Especially seeing as there are many drastically different settings throughout this play.)
2. What are some of the challenges posed by the play on the stage design team? I think the initial scene where Val is arresting Willis may be the most difficult. In this scene, Val pins Willis down to arrest him. I think finding a solid, stable object for Val to pin Willis against would prove very difficult on the stage during performances. The force needed to make the action to look real and convincing would more than likely knock over that object.
3. Choose a character from the play and suggest how she/he should be dressed. In what ways do you think the costume would help accentuate his/her character? Be sure to indicate which scene you have selected to costume that character. You might even upload a picture of the kind of dress you think would be suitable for that character to wear. I think Alea would be the most interesting in regards to costume. As a school teacher, the way she dresses could indicate what grade she was teaching and, as a result, determine what feel the audience gets of her. If the producer wanted to make Alea more maternal, they could portray her in more casual, fun clothes that would be suitable for a kindergarten teacher. If they wanted to make her seem more independent and less approachable, they could dress her in a more professional manner to indicate her as a teacher for older students. Personally, I would outfit Alea in something colorful and patterned to make her seem more youthful and maternal. I would have selected something similar to the outfit linked below, especially in the scene where we are first introduced to her character (when Val comes home and she’d fallen asleep on the couch). https://i.pinimg.com/736x/98/03/f2/9803f245b834bad50ec013b4e2ccefea--elementary-teacher-outfits-school-outfits.jpg
4. Given the content of the play, how might the lighting design help further the mood of the production? Move thru the play scene by scene to provide a possible progression. I think that light would be most crucial at the opening scene in order to really give the audience a clear understanding that the play is taking place in an alleyway of an urban, industrial hub. Another key use of lighting could be during Val’s interview with Parker later that night. By putting a spotlight on a desk with each man on either side, blacking out the rest of the stage, would really highlight the pressure that Parker is trying to put on Val.
5. Suggest music or sound effects that might be used to accentuate the mood or atmosphere of the play and the transitions between parts of the play. You might even choose to upload music or sound effects that you think are suitable for the play, or moment in the play, or as preshow music or transitions from one scene to another. I think city sounds (distant cars, fireworks, etc.) could really be an advantage in the opening scene to help the audience place the general setting of the play. Another scene that could really benefit from sound effects would be the scene at the bar with Charlie and Val. Bar noises (low chatter, music, a news channel, the clinking of glasses, etc.) could really make that setting a convincing set. Especially if the producer wanted to use minimal props.
I think a thrust theater would work the best for Split Second. A thrust theater would allow for an easier change in backdrop and the wings of a traditional thrust would allow for the quick, efficient interchanging of props between scenes. (Especially seeing as there are many drastically different settings throughout this play.)
2. What are some of the challenges posed by the play on the stage design team?
I think the initial scene where Val is arresting Willis may be the most difficult. In this scene, Val pins Willis down to arrest him. I think finding a solid, stable object for Val to pin Willis against would prove very difficult on the stage during performances. The force needed to make the action to look real and convincing would more than likely knock over that object.
3. Choose a character from the play and suggest how she/he should be dressed. In what ways do you think the costume would help accentuate his/her character? Be sure to indicate which scene you have selected to costume that character. You might even upload a picture of the kind of dress you think would be suitable for that character to wear.
I think Alea would be the most interesting in regards to costume. As a school teacher, the way she dresses could indicate what grade she was teaching and, as a result, determine what feel the audience gets of her. If the producer wanted to make Alea more maternal, they could portray her in more casual, fun clothes that would be suitable for a kindergarten teacher. If they wanted to make her seem more independent and less approachable, they could dress her in a more professional manner to indicate her as a teacher for older students. Personally, I would outfit Alea in something colorful and patterned to make her seem more youthful and maternal. I would have selected something similar to the outfit linked below, especially in the scene where we are first introduced to her character (when Val comes home and she’d fallen asleep on the couch).
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/98/03/f2/9803f245b834bad50ec013b4e2ccefea--elementary-teacher-outfits-school-outfits.jpg
4. Given the content of the play, how might the lighting design help further the mood of the production? Move thru the play scene by scene to provide a possible progression.
I think that light would be most crucial at the opening scene in order to really give the audience a clear understanding that the play is taking place in an alleyway of an urban, industrial hub. Another key use of lighting could be during Val’s interview with Parker later that night. By putting a spotlight on a desk with each man on either side, blacking out the rest of the stage, would really highlight the pressure that Parker is trying to put on Val.
5. Suggest music or sound effects that might be used to accentuate the mood or atmosphere of the play and the transitions between parts of the play. You might even choose to upload music or sound effects that you think are suitable for the play, or moment in the play, or as preshow music or transitions from one scene to another.
I think city sounds (distant cars, fireworks, etc.) could really be an advantage in the opening scene to help the audience place the general setting of the play. Another scene that could really benefit from sound effects would be the scene at the bar with Charlie and Val. Bar noises (low chatter, music, a news channel, the clinking of glasses, etc.) could really make that setting a convincing set. Especially if the producer wanted to use minimal props.